Going home

We are sitting in the airport in Gaborone and these are some of the Expeditioner's thoughts and feelings:

I am feeling proud of everyone because of what we have all achieved - Rheannon

I am quite excited about going home to see everyone, but disapointed that I have to leave - Mark V

Sad to be leaving new friends - Nigel

Knackered - Mike

No more flies! - Scott

I had an incredible time - Smiley

Finished

Everything is moving at a great speed now as were hurtled towards the end of our adventure.  Having got the roof on the building and the hole dug for the septic tank the final jobs were smaller but no less essential and everyone took to their particular job with great enthusiasm.  Door were put on the cubicles, the plumbing was started, some locals were engaged to plaster the outside, the floors were screeded,  the Botswanan Scouts undertook to build the septic tank and now the outside has been painted, we still have some snagging to do to sort the plumbing – BUT basically the alution block is finished.  It is a great achievement, with great cooperation from the UK and Botswanan youth that have worked tirelessly through out the 2 months the project has run for.  A big congratulations to you all.

 

Matsalo ame mo Botswana (Birthday in Botswana)

As much as I’m looking forward to celebrating my 18^th back home with friends and family, I had an amazing birthday in Africa.

My day started crawling out of bed and being greeted with happy birthdays from everyone.  At flag break everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and I was showered with birthday cards.

 

Then it was back to work as usual.  Sarah and I spent the morning drilling holes through the 6” building blocks and then chiselling a hole big enough for the toilet waste pipes.  We then had to saw a piece of wood …… I was struggling so threw a paddy which led to scratching my leg with a saw, so I now have a set of 16 stripes on my leg, shame it wasn’t 18!

At lunch time I came back to site to find it decorated with birthday banners>  Again Happy Birthday was sung to me as my big birthday cake was presented.

 

Later on in the evening I was led to a surprise campfire which I had the pleasure of lighting.  Chris started off the campfire and we all enjoyed an evening full of singing and dancing.

 Fran

The next step .....

This whole expedition has been amazing and the project is going really well, we are now getting to the little jobs such as building a step which I took on with a small team.  When we finished the step I was so impressed with it I took great pride in it. 

 

Mark V

Digging the Hole

3 days after R & R and my team are back on project.  Our goal: reaching the 3 metre depth for the septic tank.  After a valiant effort by Charlie’s Angels we arrive to find 4 small holes dug and a large tree stump already removed.  With a promise of having the rest of the day off if we finish, we start fast but quickly tire from having to smash through roots.  Day 1 over and we almost reach 1 metre.

Day 2 and we start slower but by mid-morning are exhausted, day 2 over and we had reached 2 metres. 

Day 3 our last effort to finish before Charlie’s Angels get back from R & R, we decide to have an early start – breakfast at 6.30……  We work until it gets hot at mid-morning and are close, half a metre to go, lunch time ….we’re done!!!

 

Mike

Photos

Smiley's Squad - Bushin' it

After weeks of working on site with Chris breathing heavily down our backs, making sure nothing went a slip, it was time for our R&R. On the day of departure, with seconds to spare, Anne finished her packing for the 3 day trip, and then we were off!

We arrived on camp after the freezing cold and very bumpy journey; we were welcomed by the safari team. After a spot of lunch we set off on our first game drive where we saw loads of elephants and leopard before watching the sunset over the bush. We then enjoyed a good night’s sleep on proper beds.

In the morning we were greeted by a bowl of warm water to wash in outside our tents, before setting off on our days drive. Whilst we were out on the drive we saw a lot of wildlife including 2 African wild dogs. We then spent the evening driving around the bush at what felt like 100mph to see 9 lions enjoying their dinner.

As we were packing up to leave we were made aware of a lions watching our camp, as you can see from the picture it was very big and very scary.

So now we are all relaxed and ready to go back to work with Chris on the site.

Tom, Mark H and Sarah

NB: A Thutchwa-ific Time!

This is just a little addition – mainly for the benefit of Group A – to share with them some good news. Finally on my fourth expedition to Africa, I have seen Giraffes!

 

On my second R&R (!) I was fortunate enough to see 27 of them either graciously meandering about the Khwai reserve or graciously drinking at the river. It has certainly been worth the wait to see such beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

 I know you’ll all be thrilled at this news – especially team Thutchwa for whom it is their name sake! J

 Missing you all!

Chris